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Like many people out there, I'm tempted by the gorgeous new Vampire models just released for WHFB, a game I've never been into. I play 40k, with armies mostly inherited from my dad or bought second hand on the cheap, and as a university student my funds are limited.

My challenge to you, oh wonderful forumites, is to recommend me a list using fewer, more elite units if that fits in the vampire playstyle. (My rationale was that I like undead, and I figured that the least horde-y undead army would be vamps)

It looks like zombies and skeletons are the basic infantry units of this army, and if it comes to "you really need some basic cannon fodder" I'd rather it be those because I can probably find generic-brand minis for those pretty darn cheap. As for army size, whatever the usual game size for fantasy is...from the look of the forums here, it seems like 2k points.

So, summary, a smaller, more elite VC army, if it needs a horde component go zombies and skeletons. If you could help me out with this, I'd be really grateful, as I'm not hugely interested in being competitive but I'd rather not get swept every game!

Give a list of the models you like opposed to what you do not.

Otherwise for basic troopers skeletons and zombies use Mantic Games undead. There ghouls and zombies are great models for zombies, same applies for skeletons and revanents being used for skeletons.

Ive converted quite a few Lotr mini Undead on foot models for my spirit hosts.

Otherwise for a more elite army i would stick to grave guard and crypt horrors while getting some magic and fighty characters.

With 8th as it is right now hordes are just really powerful, this puts a strain on anyone wanting to field either an elite army or has cash flow problems (i fall in the later category).

The latter is my issue too. Mantic games, you say? I'll give it a look.

Ok, just in terms of looks, the Cairn Wraith is almost too cool to not field, I may pick him up. How many crypt horrors do you need to field for a unit? At only three to a box, that could get pricey.

All the characters look cool, I have to look through the rulebook to decide who I like...the trouble is I'm so new, I've never played a game of fantasy before so I don't know what works and what doesn't... it's more different than I thought from 40k. I figured an elite army would be something I'd have an easier time with, since it'd be closer to the 40k I'm used to playing, less marching in formation tactics and the like.

Maybe I'll try to find a horde of zombies/skeletons on the cheap and work from there.. any suggestions for commander types to take?

Crypt Horrors work best in units of six.
I can also say that, in the new book, pretty much everything is viable.
As for an elite army... Ghouls are the most expensive core choice, poiont wise. But Skeletons and Zombies might fit your theme better.
Then it really depends on what you want beyond that, as every Special / Rare choice is more or less elite.

Go with a ghoul/black knight based army.
Have a vamp lord, and a master necro lead the army, and back the basics up with some dire wolves/morits engine/spirit hosts, and wraiths.
You can convert 99% of the army from other kits picked up cheap.
For example:
black knights-bret knights with some skull heads
dire wolves-chaos hounds
wraiths-skeletons with green stuffed cloaks
spirit hosts-anything painted ghostly
more vamps-anything cheap, painted to match your army
You can kit-bash zombies from just about anything. Mix in some skeleton/zombie bits from the GW kits, and you have another easy, unit for your army.
If you can pick up some bret men at arms, or empire state troops on the cheap, you could have a very themed army cheaply, and quickly.
Ebay will be your friend in this endeavor, just hunt down some good deals, and be willing to strip some paint.

edit; Curse you spell check!

6 crypt horrors great unit size because they can be raised up again and again.

Master Necro and Vamp lord will be the best combo.

Konrad is a beast hero for just pure damage on multi-wound models.

The mantic stuff is very cheap, 28 mm but ever so slightly smaller compared to gw stuff, makes mixing and matching hard. I've gone all mantic for Zombies and Skeletons with gw minis for everything else, makes the graveguard pop and seem more threatening being that much bigger.

Wraith is sweet to put in a skeleton unit for a bit more power just be careful to steer it against something without magic attacks.

Our rare choices are great though its our special that should be given the bulk of points, every choice is incredible with the exception of fell bats and Vargheists.

Whats wrong with fell bats/vargiests?
Fell bast offer some cheap war machine hunter/charge lane blockers, and vargiests put down a ton of attacks, and can still be raised up again.

cricketofdeth wrote:Whats wrong with fell bats/vargiests?
Fell bast offer some cheap war machine hunter/charge lane blockers, and vargiests put down a ton of attacks, and can still be raised up again.

Fell bats are ok there is just better choices like Bat swarms that have more wounds and give always strike last to your opponent. Spirit Hosts also because they cant be targeted by normal shooting only magical attacks.

Vargiests may hit like a ton of bricks but they are frenzied LD 7 which means a clever opponent will feed them a cheap redirect unit to either force them to overrun to a spot they dont want to be aka right infront of a charging elite unit. Vargeists can be raised but since they have the Vampiric rule only 1 wound per spell unlike the Horrors that can be raised without restrictions.

If you have cash flow problems um that kinda is odd for a vamp list since a majority of spells is to increase numbers. lol The answer most give for a cash strapped individual is OK.